Clare Nowland was Tasered by police at an aged care home in Cooma. Photo / Supplied
Clare Nowland was Tasered by police at an aged care home in Cooma. Photo / Supplied
Police have shared shocking detail of how a 95-year-old woman was Tasered by police at an aged care home.
Clare Nowland was found holding a serrated steak knife at the Yallambee Lodge in Cooma, with police called to the residence to help disarm her.
Police allege she was still armed with the knife when they arrived at the aged care facility.
After officers failed to get her to drop the knife, Ms Nowland was struck by a Taser, causing her to fall and hit her head. She is now fighting for life in hospital.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter stressed the investigation is being taken very seriously, but on multiple occasions declined to say whether he thought a police officer with 12 years’ experience used excessive force by firing a stun gun at Nowland, who is 1.57 metres tall and weighs 43 kilograms.
Cotter then thanked the journalist for raising the question, but cautioned her against continuing to ask.
“I know where you’re going with it, but in absolute fairness to everyone involved here, I’m not going to talk about this specific officer and any criminal charges,” he said.
“Let me just soften that one for you. But, please, don’t ask it again. I think I’m clear on it.”
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter told reporters the homicide squad is investigating the incident.
“What I can say is that this is a very alive and serious investigation of which the homicide squad is investigating,” he said on Friday.
He described bodycam footage of the incident as “confronting” but said it was not in the public interest to share that video.
Officers attempted to negotiate with Ms Nowland before she started to approach police at a slow pace with the knife in hand.
It was then that the senior officer allegedly discharged his Taser, causing the 95-year-old to fall to the ground and struck her head.
“She was in a room she did have a knife in her hand and it is fair to say that she was armed with that knife,” Cotter told reporters.
A critical incident team is now investigating the incident and it will be subject to an independent review.
Nicole Lee, president of the advocacy group People with Disability Australia, said she was shocked by the police response.
“She’s either one hell of an agile, fit, fast and intimidating 95-year-old woman, or there’s a very poor lack of judgement on those police officers and there really needs to be some accountability on their side,” Lee said.
A 95-year-old woman in Australia is in a critical condition after she was tasered by police at a retirement home. Community advocate Andrew Thaler said 95-year-old Clare Nowland “didn't need the force of the law”, but rather “kind words and assistance and help" | Read more:… pic.twitter.com/RIOZgrEt8X
Family spokesperson Andrew Thaler said Nowland’s dementia “waxes and wanes.”
“The question will be, how was it appropriate to use this level of force on a 95-year-old woman?” Thaler was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said in a statement on Friday the matter was being treated with the “utmost seriousness”.
“My thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. I understand and share the community concerns and assure you that we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness,” she said.
The aged care centre is operated by Snowy Monaro Regional Council, which confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
“Council are supporting our staff, residents, and families during this difficult time,” a council spokesman said.
“No further comment is available at the current time due to the ongoing investigation and out of respect for the privacy of those involved.”
Yallambee Lodge has been operating since 1995 and contains 38 permanent beds and two respite beds.
“The hostel includes beautiful gardens and open shared spaces for activities and socialising,” the council website says about the facility.
